Lawan Wants Nigerian Media Purged of Bad Eggs

• Says N’ Assembly won’t pass anti-press freedom bill

By Deji Elumoye

President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has called on the Nigerian media professionals to purge themselves of bad eggs giving the profession a bad image.

He also gave an assurance that the ninth National Assembly under his watch will not pass any anti-press freedom bill.

In a message Sunday to felicitate with the Nigerian media on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, Lawan noted that May 3 is set aside every year to remind governments around the world of their obligation to facilitate and respect press freedom, and also to remind journalists of the need to respect the ethics of their profession.

The Senate President called on media professionals to purge the noble profession of the bad eggs whose nefarious activities are denting the credibility and reputation of the mainstream practitioners.

He added: “The leadership organs of the profession also need to adopt practical measures to check the activities of the purveyors of fake news. My belief is that the menace of fake news is capable of eroding the integrity and credibility of the media in general, and this should not be allowed to happen.”

Lawan expressed happiness that Nigeria has a vibrant media that have always resolutely defended freedom of speech.

He further stressed that freedom of the press enables journalists to effectively discharge their roles as the watchdog of the society and Fourth Estate of the Realm.

According to him, “I also celebrate the Nigerian journalists for the invaluable contributions and sacrifices that they have made throughout our national history to nation-building and entrenchment of democracy.

“I pay tribute to the patriots who have lost their lives in the line of duty and pray that their death will not be in vain.

“The ninth Senate and the National Assembly in general will never pass any law that inhibits the freedom of the press but rather work with the media to further enhance the practice of the profession.”